While last month’s teaser for the upcoming Alien: Isolation sequel certainly commanded our attention, fans of the iconic sci-fi universe won’t have to wait that long for their next dose of action. Before we return to that terrifying world, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is set to arrive, serving as a direct follow-up to the surprisingly robust 2021 co-op shooter.
Officially unveiled by IGN on May 7, the announcement trailer leans into high-stakes cinematic flair. We see a beleaguered trio of marines desperately holding off a Xenomorph swarm within the confines of a space station, only to be bolstered by a crucial fourth squadmate. The footage quickly transitions to gameplay, confirming the title remains a third-person co-op shooter, slated for a multiplatform release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X later this summer.
I’ve always had a fondness for the original Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Where Alien: Isolation brilliantly captures the suffocating, intimate horror of the franchise’s cinematic roots, Fireteam Elite successfully embraces the explosive, over-the-top intensity of the Aliens sequel. Thanks to diverse character classes and an arsenal of high-powered weaponry, the game transforms the typically lethal Xenomorphs into manageable targets. It offers that classic, high-octane “dumb fun” that feels like the spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead formula set within the Alien universe.
The prospect of a sequel is genuinely exciting, and I’m eager to jump into the fray long before we revisit the horrors of the Isolation follow-up. The most notable evolution in Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is the expansion to four-player squads, a change that brings the game closer in line with its genre peers. Beyond the player count, IGN reports that the sequel will introduce long-awaited features like cross-play, a dedicated horde mode complete with bespoke maps, and an entirely new character class, the Specialist.
If you’re looking to sharpen your skills in the original Aliens: Fireteam Elite before the sequel hits this summer, the game is currently accessible via Xbox Game Pass (Premium and Ultimate tiers) on PC and consoles, as well as being available on PS4 and PS5.
Source: Polygon
